Cardiff came back from a goal down to record their first Carrow Road win since 1971 on Saturday - the result also finally putting paid to the statistic of our inability to win after going a goal behind.

Roger Johnson was again the dancing man of the moment - the impressive centre-back again coming to aid the front line with a headed winner after a solid performance at the back.

Norwich had taken a 12th minute lead through Simon Lappin who took advantage of Ross Turnball's disappointing clearence. But second-half substitute Peter Whittingham converted Paul Parry's cross to equalise for the Bluebirds before Johnson snuck in at the end. Now comes a two week break to calm the nerves.

Team News: Three changes were made to the starting eleven; all of them pretty much to expectation following the Carling Cup match on Tuesday evening. Darren Purse was out of contention, even for a bench place following his operation on Friday. This ensured that the central back pairing of Johnson and Loovens remained in front of Turnbull in the Bluebirds goal.

Kevin McNaughton's continued absence meant that Chris Gunter continued on the right, while Tony Capaldi remainedd on the left. The only change from Loovens' inclusion was on either wing as both Ledley and Sinclair resumed starting duties after the Carling Cup. Up front we again saw the pairing of Fowler and Hasselbaink - both considered fit enough to start after injury concerns this week.

Chronological Report: Cardiff began the match brightly and were the first to test the opposition goal after five minutes. Chris Gunter found Joe Ledley with an incisive pass, allowing Ledley to break free before firing a shot to force Marshall into a good save. From the resulting corner the Norwich 'keeper again was called into action to deny Sinclair an early opener.

Minutes later our hosts briefly believed they had taken the lead from a free-kick after Sinclair brought down Simon Lappin. From the delivery Dion Dublin climbed highest and headed the ball into the net, though his movement involved a foul on Gavin Rae to dampen the initial applause from the Carrow Road stands.

Norwich took the moment of denial to drag themselves into the match with both feet. The home fans previously muted celebrations didn't take long to turn into a fully blown authenticated version as only four minutes later Lappin made the most of a poor Gunter back-pass and disappointing Turnbull clearance. The Canaries midfielder saw his chance and spanked a thirty yard drive into the open net for what can only be described as a Cardiff City gift.

GOAL: NORWICH 1 - 0 CARDIFF. Lappin. 12 mins

The Canaries were certainly the dominant force as the half continued, with Cardiff failing to create any chances to allow the front two to get involved. At the other end former Colchester striker Cureton was causing a nuisance for the Cardiff defence, although Johnson in particular did well to deny any further glory for the returning Norwich player.

Cardiff were lacking any cohesion in their game, with passes often going wanting to frustrate the long travelled support. That however took a brief respite after the half hour as Capaldi and Ledley combined well to set the ball for Fowler to run onto - a run that was denied by a brave collection from Marshall, which saw the keeper pick up a knock to accompany the Carrow Road applause.

The match stagnated to the half time break, with both teams unable to create any further chances of note. We hoped that Cardiff could muster some extra fire in the second half, or see our increasing statistics of Norwich losses and an inability to come back from a goal down continue.

HALF TIME: NORWICH 1 - 0 CARDIFF

Dave Jones made a double change as Paul Parry came on for Joe Ledley immediately after the break, while Darcy Blake replaced Chris Gunter on the right of defence.

The second half created less in the way of chances for either team, although the pace of the match, in particular from a Cardiff City perspective was considerably higher. Norwich a goal to the good could afford to sit back slightly and pick their moments on the break - Cureton waiting all the while and looking a continual threat.

Chances were few and far between in the opening twenty minutes; our most notable coming as Blake picked out Fowler with a great ball, which Fowler then used to force a corner off a Doherty block.

Dave Jones made his final change after the hour, introducing Peter Whittingham to the action. His involvement meant taking up a place in midfield while Paul Parry moved forward to partner Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

The substitution proved inspired as only four minutes later Paul Parry crossed from the right channel deep into the area. The ball missed all except Whittingham who from close range at the back-stick guided the ball into the net for the equaliser.

GOAL: NORWICH 1 - 1 CARDIFF. Whittingham. 63 mins

Norwich responded to the equaliser by picking up a few gears - Darcy Blake forced to clear off the line from a Cureton effort after stealing from McPhail on the edge of our area only a few short minutes later.

Glenn Loovens was the first to find his name added to the book, quite unfortunately after sixty nine minutes as a ball in the face was called a handball by the referee.

The Canaries added to their attacking options with just under twenty minutes remaining, bringing on talisman Darren Huckerby for Luke Chadwick. Huckerby was immediately involved, denied a first touch goal by Gavin Rae's last ditch tackle.

Chances and possession were evenly distributed with the minutes ticking on - Whittingham first forcing a good save from Marshall, with Huckerby almost finding Dublin with a quality delivery two minutes later.

A draw was looking the likely outcome as we entered the final ten minutes, but that possibility was tested six minutes from time through Roger Johnson. Whittingham had drilled in a corner from the left which Johnson tracked fully and sent a bullet of a header into the Norwich net to send the City fans into orbit.

GOAL: NORWICH 1 - 2 CARDIFF. Johnson. 84 mins

Norwich naturally came at Cardiff with all guns firing towards the close of the match - Dion Dublin joining the front line with every opportunity in search of an equaliser. Norwich came desperately close via Brown's shot that narrowly missed the bottom corner, the miss coming much to our relief.

Four minutes of stoppage time were added, which Norwich were unable to use to their advantage. The final whistle came to signal the end of a terrible record and see our first Carrow Road win since April 1971.

FULL TIME: NORWICH 1 - 2 CARDIFF

Norwich: Marshall, Otsemobor, Dublin, Doherty, Drury, Chadwick (Huckerby 72), Brellier (Croft 82), Russell, Lappin, Cureton, Brown. Subs Not Used: Gilks, Murray, Martin. Goals: Lappin 12.

Cardiff: Turnbull, Gunter (Blake 46), Loovens, Johnson, Capaldi, Sinclair, Rae, McPhail, Ledley (Parry 46), Fowler (Whittingham 60), Hasselbaink.
Subs Not Used: Oakes, MacLean. Booked: Loovens. Goals: Whittingham 64, Johnson 84.

Att: 24,292

Ref: Clive Penton (Sussex)